1924: "Just a line to let you know that I am still here."

Evelyn Ernest Raven and his new bride, Mabel Kemp Trippett left Sheffield in Yorkshire just after their wedding on 1st July 1913.  They embarked on the steam ship "Orsova" and arrived at Fremantle in Western Australia on 5th August 1913.

Included below is a postcard that Evelyn's father Richard Atkins Raven sent to his son on 21st October 1924.

Richard died in Sheffield on 27th January 1925.  Stomach cancer was the cause of death, and he had been unwell for 12 months.

The note may have been one of the last messages sent, and begins, "Just a line to let you know that I am still here."  

Transcript -

To: Mr E E Raven  68 Napier Street, Cottesloe  Western Australia

21 Oct 24

Dear E.

Just a line to let you know that I am still here.  I wrote you a fortnight ago, & I hope you will have received it ere this reaches you. How are you all  is Dick better?  Have had a week at Abergele MN  but had to come home owing to Mr Howe’s illness, from which he never recovered, alas he is now no more,  Have lost a good friend,  with love to all of you

Your affect Dad   RAR

Richard Atkins Raven (left)  with wife Frances, and (right) with brother Edwin

The note indicates that there may have been regular correspondence. There is mention of a letter recently sent, and the inquiry made as to his grandson's health would seem to be a response to a recent letter from Australia.  It's nice to think that this may have been ongoing, although only two other letters have survived.  

Richard was rather alone at the time of writing. His wife Frances (nee Bradshaw) died on 30 March 1918 and his only sibling (Edwin Raven) died in the same quarter of 1918.  Although Richard and Frances Raven had two children, their son, Evelyn Ernest (born 1889) left for Australia in 1913. Daughter Frances Helen (born 1882) had died in 1899 at the age of 17. 

A previous letter written after the death of Frances had mentioned a hope that Richard might travel to see the family in Australia, to deliver his wife's ring to their granddaughter at her request. Perhaps travel difficulties after the war, as well as his illness thwarted those plans. Richard appointed a bank representative to manage his estate, and his estate summary includes a payment to his wife's cousin for funeral arrangements.  

The postcard, other letters and documents provide glimpses as to the identity of the writer, which are as revealing as photographic images. It's nice to have this picture of a great-great grandfather, born in 1857 and who died almost one hundred years ago.